VISA

The post VOA (Visa On Arrival) Immigration requirements are now being implemented. This change in visa requirements means that if you arrive in Indonesia without the correct visa you will be deported from the country by the next available flight. Ignorance is not an excuse. The countries from which people can arrive and be granted a visa (free/paid) are listed below. Citizens of all other countries MUST apply for a visa at an Indonesian Embassy before travelling to Indonesia. If they arrive without one they will not be allowed to enter the country. This is being strictly enforced.

Should you still pine for the good old days, and a 2 month visa (granted before arrival so you don't have to queue) just go to your nearest friendly Indonesian Embassy and apply with a fee of $40 or so. Three days later you can pick up your two month tourist visa.

Indonesia now offers a visa-free facility to tourists who are citizens of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Hongkong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam.

The Indonesian Government has increased to 52 the number of countries whose nationals can apply for a VOA upon landing at an Indonesian international gateway. This came into effect from the 6th June, 2006. The list of nations which are now included follows.

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, People’s Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Suriname, Taiwan, The Netherlands, United Arab Emirates. United Kingdom,United States of America.

Residents of other countries will have to apply for the visa in an Indonesian Embassy before coming to Indonesia. They will have to pay for the visa at the time of application.

Points of entry (updated 08 March 2004) Airports of Bali, Jakarta, Medan, Manado. Padang, Pekan Baru, Surabaya, Halim Perdana Kusuma in Jakarta, Adisucipto in Yogyakarta, Adisumarmo in Solo, Selaparang in Mataram, Lombok, Sepinggan in Balikpapan, Kalimantan, Hasanudddin in Makasar, Sulawesi, Eltari in Kupang, Timor

Seaports Batam, Sibolga, Belawan, Jakarta, Jayapura, Tanjung Uban, Padang Bai (Bali), Dumai, Teluk Bayar in Padang, Sumatra, Bitung, Tanjung Balaikarimun, Tanjung Mas in Semarang, Tenau in Kupang, Pare Pare in Sulawesi, Soekarno-Hatta in Makassar, Sualwesi

Presently the situation in Indonesia is peaceful. Outside the provinces of Maluku, the Central Sulawesi area around Posos and Papua the visitor will encounter no difficulty. In Papua a letter of authorisation is perhaps needed. These letters should be arranged through your travel agent. Check this with your travel agent.

Bali is still suffering as the bombings in 2005 have resulted in a huge drop in the number of visitors. Bali is a tourist destination and empty hotels are not what the Balinese need for their economy at the moment as they face rampant inflation after the recent fuel price increases. If you like Bali we can assure you that there is no change. Certainly there will be bargains to be had in the tourism sector.

We have recently been in Jogyakarta and Solo in Central Java and can attest to the peacefulness of this area.

Jogyakarta is the peaceful core of this area which offers fabulous world standard accommodation at bargain prices, and easy access to some of the world's most distinguished cultural heritage sites.

Lombok is also offering very attractive packages just across the water from Bali. There are many bargains to be had and the Gili isles are particularly attractive.

We would love to share our new found freedom and democracy with you and do hope to see you soon in Indonesia.

e-mail us archimag@goarchi.com